Anyone know anything about legalizing California Motor Swap? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iwrock · #1 01-20-2008, 04:43 AM

I am preparing to swap motors in my 88 300TE with the motor froma 1989 420SEL.

I am looking into legalizing the swap so that everything is certified safe by the state, and I can have it smogged when I need to...

Anyways, anyone got the steps that I need to take to get this thing certified?

I found these guideline, but still need more direction, and anything would be appreciated.

http://www.autorepair.ca.gov/StdPage.asp?Body=/Geninfo/Publications/Engine_Change_Guidelines-Jan_1994.htm

Thanks, Justin.

iwrock · #2 01-20-2008, 04:52 AM

Oh, and the donor motor is from an 1989!

Jim B. · #3 01-20-2008, 05:15 AM

Run the vin# or license plate number off the donor car to get an idea of its smog check history for the past 10 years...

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/vehtests/pubtstqry.aspx

Basically you are on VERY SOLID legal ground, because you are swapping the NEWER (1989) donor motor into an OLDER (1988) chassis, so you'll have ALL the necessary, legal California emissions equipment on the car.

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdpage.asp?Body=/smogcheck/default.htm

I really don't think you have to worry about California emissions certification problems, just whether it will pass the emissions test when it comes. You should be fine pasing the visual part of the smog test, with an '89 engine in an '88 car

iwrock · #4 01-20-2008, 05:31 AM

OK, I have been reading into the law... (All those ricers out there doing their swaps and getting them legalized..

They basically say that I need to have the CHP look into it and make sure that it is safe, and then to take it to a smog referee to make sure that she has all the carb emissions setup on it, and then smog it... Then, I am issued a carb complaince tag, and certificate, making the car 100% legal with the new motor...

Its a little bit of legwork, but the smog referee is any local community college autoshop class, and any CHP station can look over it to make sure that it is safe...

Actually, I checked, the donor car is a 1991 420SEL!

Its got a clean title, and crystal clear smog history.

So, when its all said and done, I am going to have a road legal 420TE.

After the dust settles, I have a line on a 500E Bumper and Fenders!

iwrock · #5 01-20-2008, 05:34 AM

Here is the info borrowed from the CARB site.

Quote:

Replacement Engines
Entire engines can be replacement parts. As with any other replacement part, the engine must be identical to the original. If the replacement block or engine is obtained without emissions equipment, all the equipment from the original engine must be installed on the replacement block.

If the engine is not identical to the original then it is not a replacement part, instead it is considered an engine change.
Engine changes are a modification that must meet certain requirements to be legal (please see "Engine Changes").

Japanese Replacement Engines
Used engines imported from Japan can be used as replacement engines as long as the engine being used has been identified as functionally identical to the original engine. Please refer to the engine importers catalogue to determine if a replacement engine is legal for installation in your vehicle.

Engine Changes
Engine changes are legal as long as the following requirements are met to ensure that the change does not increase pollution from the vehicle:

The engine must be the same year or newer than the vehicle.
The engine must be from the same type of vehicle (passenger car, light-duty truck, heavy- duty truck, etc.) based on gross vehicle weight.
If the vehicle is a California certified vehicle then the engine must also be a California certified engine.
All emissions control equipment must remain on the installed engine.
After an engine change, vehicles must first be inspected by a state referee station. The vehicle will be inspected to ensure that all the equipment required is in place, and vehicle will be emissions tested subject to the specifications of the installed engine.

Hey, I dont even have to get it inspected... Just gotta make it smog legal, have it inspected, and I am good to go!

iwrock · #6 01-20-2008, 05:40 AM

More info.

Quote:

Keeping your engine swap legal is very important. Examine your state's vehicle code or contact the DMV to see what's legal and what's not. In California, the law says that an engine must be of the same year or newer as the car and be California emissions-legal. To avoid any hassles, it should also be of the same engine type that was originally available from the factory in that particular body style. Hmm, that's kind of a problem. Besides sidestepping the law (and we would never do anything like that), there are a couple options. The best is to have your entire car certified by the state by going to your local referee station for examination, testing, and BAR Vehicle Identification Label approval. You can call 800/622-7733 for an appointment. The other option (and definitely more work) is to keep the original engine on hand and swap it back in when you have to make a trip for the smog test, but we don't recommend doing it (legal reasons and all).

Its looking like its going to actually work out well.

t walgamuth · #7 01-20-2008, 07:14 AM

I have no personal experience in CA but from reading the description it sure looks as if you are on solid ground. The swap may increase your insurance cost since you are increasing horsepower. I would call my agent and describe what you are doing accurately but being sure to not make it sound too much like a hot rodding deal.

Be sure to be factually accurate with the insurance company. If you mislead them they can refuse to cover a loss.

It sounds like you are doing the legwork to make a very nice swap. If you move the rear diff to the new car, the fuel economy may not suffer much. The cost of operating the v8 equipped cars makes resale in these times of high gas prices a bit hit and miss, so be sure you want this and plan on keeping the car for a long time.

Tom W

iwrock · #8 01-20-2008, 04:36 PM

This swap is 2 steps closer to happening...

The title is now in my hand, and I have a place to do the swap...

She going to be pretty quick.

Jim B. · #9 01-20-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

This swap is 2 steps closer to happening...

The title is now in my hand, and I have a place to do the swap...

She going to be pretty quick.

Yep, it will be that. I had an '87 420SEL for a loaner all day this past Friday, in the San Francisco area, and I loved it. Took it from Burlingame near the airport, and ran it all over the place, from Daly City to Menlo Park (near Stanford) and it ran great everywhere, they are a good motor.

I had never driven one around like this, before. They are quick, all right, about 75% as fast as a 560, I would guess. So you will like it.

It surprises me that nobody ever did a swap like that. With a 420 in it, That wagon will not only haul, but will haul aZZ, too!!

If you found a 500E bumper and fenders, will you somehow flare the rear fenders also (for symmetry)?

How long before you get it in there?

sixto · #10 01-20-2008, 07:37 PM

Will the M103 tandem pump bolt to the M116 or will you use an M117 tandem pump?

Sixto
87 300D